Courtesy photos
MARLBORO COUNTY — Members of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrated their May Week Program Sunday, May 18 at the Bennettsville Intermediate School. This year’s theme was “Forward with Fortitude: Engaging Our Sisterhood, Empowering Our Communities, and Elevating Our Impact.”
May Week is an annual event that is recognized nationally by Delta Sigma Theta chapters. It highlights academic excellence, community service involvement, and programs and events held throughout the year that address the sorority’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic Development; Educational Development; International Awareness and Involvement; Physical and Mental Health; and Political Awareness and Involvement.
This year, the chapter awarded Community Servant Leadership Awards to Rev. Lue Pearl McCall and Mr. James (J.T.) Fleming. These recipients were recognized for their dedication to community service.
Rev. Lue Pearl McCall is a resident of Bennettsville. She is a member of New St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church under the pastor ship of Pastor Franklin Washington. Her devotion extends beyond the church walls, reflecting in every aspect of her life. She is a loving mother to Yolanda McCall, Lee Edwards McCall, and Tonya McCall Harmon. Her joy is further multiplied by her five cherished grandchildren and three adored great-grandchildren. This deep familial love overflows into her spiritual life, embracing her church family with the same warmth and dedication. Rev. McCall’s involvement includes the following: Chairperson for Spring Revival, Advisor for Outreach Ministry, assistant teacher for Vacation Bible School, Chairperson for Building Fund, advisor and chaplain for Hospitality Ministry, chaplain and advisor for AE Johnson Senior Missionary, and she serves as Chaplin for Cancer Awareness. She is a member of the Berea Association Women’s District Missionary which her involvement includes spiritual life ministry. Finance committee, and chairperson for condolences and sick. In addition to Rev. McCall’s church involvement, she is a volunteer for the Bread of Life Food Pantry, and works as a poll worker in Bennettsville. She previously worked with the Bennettsville Breakfast Club at the Community Kitchen, and Food Give Away. Rev. McCall is also a member of the NAACP and Quick Funeral Home staff. Rev. McCall finds her unwavering strength and guidance in her daily Bible study. Her profound love for scripture fuels her desire to counsel individuals who seek her wisdom and spiritual direction. Her favorite scripture, Revelation 2:10, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” serves as a guiding principle in her life, embodying her steadfast faith and tireless commitment to service.
Mr. James J.T. Fleming is a resident of Cheraw. He is a South Carolina License Funeral Director and Preneed Insurance Agent. Mr. Fleming was previously employed with the Union County Public school as the lead Licensure Specialist in the Human Resource Department from 2004-2014. After his tenure he returned home to his family’s business, Fleming Funeral Home where he currently serves as the president/chief operating officer. In addition to his job responsibilities, Mr. Fleming has dedicated himself to giving back to the community in many ways. He has participated in several activities with youth in Chesterfield County. He has served as coach for the Cheraw High School Boys Basketball Program from 2008-2017 and has volunteered for read aloud for children of all age groups. In addition to helping with the youth, he works with community outreach. He co-developed the Cheraw Juneteenth Festival (2018) that continues yearly. In 2017, Mr. Fleming helped the citizens in the Foundry Hill Community/Prestige Park Neighborhood. Once the neighborhood was saved, he assisted with the process of removing the slogan, “The Prettiest Town in Dixie from the advertisement in Cheraw. With his impact thus far in the community, he has also been the speaker for several events and moderated the “Meet the Candidates Debates” for elected officials that were sponsored by the Cheraw NAACP, in addition to MC for the “Stop the Violence” Basketball Tournament in Cheraw. Mr. Fleming believes in being a voice for the community and people that feel that they don’t have a voice. Most importantly, he strives to continue to have a positive impact in the community and stand up for what is right. He puts service above self. His award was accepted by LiAsia Tillman in his absence.
Community service recipients received a plaque that reads as follows, “The Bennettsville-Cheraw Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. acknowledges and celebrate outstanding contributions to our community through the presentation of this Community Servant Leader Award. This award recognizes exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication, and profound commitment to serving others.”
Educational Scholarships are one of the goals of the sorority. Funds are generated to support aspiring young students who have plans of attending a college, university or technical college. This year’s recipients were Dorrien Murphy, Christian Miller, and Terilynn Holmes.
Dorrien Murphy is a graduate of Marlboro County High School. He is the son of Mr. Donald Murphy and the late Elizabeth Murphy. Dorrien plans to continue his studies at Northeastern Technical College in the fall.
Christian Miller is a graduate of Cheraw High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Miller. Christian plans to attend the University of South Carolina in the fall.
Terilynn Holmes is Miss Jabberwock 2024-2026. She is the daughter of Terry and Trudy Holmes. Terilynn is a graduate of Marlboro County High School and plans to attend the University of South Carolina in the fall.
In the Spirit of Sisterhood, the chapter recognized charter members and presented plaques that reads as follows, “A founding Pillar of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Your visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and tireless efforts laid the foundations for our chapter’s legacy of sisterhood, scholarship, and service.” “Your light continues to shine.” The chapter was charted December 17, 1983 by 13 women dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Charter members are: Ann Brown, Beatrice DuPree (deceased), Georgia E. Gillespie (deceased), Gayle Gore, Cynthia B. Hodge, Atty. Jesse Johnakin, Leathia M. Powe (deceased), Lenora V. Powe, Oralee S. Powe (deceased), Marie C. Smith (deceased), Julia Spears (deceased), Cynthia Streeter, and Vanessa Stuckey.
The chapter also acknowledged Delta Dears, chapter members that are 62 and older. The chapter presented the Soror of the Year Award to Mrs. Eunice Ray for her outstanding commitment, dedication, leadership, and service to the sorority and its mission.
In addition to recognition of community leaders, scholarship recipients, and sisterhood, the May Week program highlights the programs and events held during the sorority year. Recognition was given to the following programs, events, and participants.
Delta Academy and Delta GEMS are mentoring programs that serves girls of ages 11-18. Delta Academy “Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Ladies for the Future: is a program that started in 1996. It offers mentoring and educational learning opportunities for at-risk young ladies of the ages of 11-14. Through collaboration with professionals and community support, monthly workshops are provided in the following areas: leadership, physical and mental health, financial literacy, self-esteem, etiquette, cultural enrichment and field trips. Upon completing middle school grades, young ladies enter the Delta GEMS Program (Growing and Inspiring Myself Successfully). This program provides a framework to actualize dreams and goals by instilling a need to excel academically and assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond. The major goal is create compassionate and community-minded young ladies by involving them in service learning opportunities. Delta Academy and Delta GEMS participants received certificates for participation in addition to graduating seniors who received gift cards. The program is chaired by Eunice Ray.
EMBODI: Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence, is a mentoring program designed to refocus efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with the support and actions of other organizations, on the plight of African American males to address issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI addresses issues related to STEM education, culture, self-efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyle choices, character, ethics, relationships, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning. The chapter has been fortunate to have the assistance of four collaborative mentoring groups. They are Theta Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Cicero Holdings, LLC, Men of Grace Temple Fellowship Church, and members of Lambda Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In addition to Darrell Campbell of Campbell Consulting group in Columbia, S.C. who provides financial support with the entrepreneur project and activities of EMBODI. Mentoring groups were commended for their dedication to the EMBODI program and were presented with plaques. EMBODI participants received certificates for their participation. The program is chaired by Dannie Blair and Co-chaired by Callie Ellerbe.
Senior Citizen’s Dinner: The chapter acknowledged over 200 meals and gifts that were provided to seniors in December. The event is chaired by Yolonda DuPree and Frieda Ellerbe.
Miss Jabberwock and Miss Delta Doll Contestants were recognized for their fundraising efforts and hard work towards the events. Miss Jabberwock 2024 was chaired by Andrea Renee McLeod and Miss Delta Doll is chaired by LiAsia Tillman and Trina Thompson.
The May Week event included a meal that was prepared by Family Affair Catering. The meal included the following: Baked and fried chicken, string beans, yellow rice, yams, rolls, assorted desserts, tea, lemonade, and water.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a private, non-profit organization founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. Their purpose was to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding the sisterhood has more than 350,000 predominantly African American college-educated women, and currently has over 1,050 chapters world-wide. The Bennettsville-Cheraw Alumnae Chapter has dedicated over 40 years to improving the community through dedicated service. In keeping with the vision of the twenty-two founders, the chapter’s community involvement includes; three mentoring groups-Delta Academy, Delta GEMS, and EMBODI, Miss Jabberwock Pageant, Miss Delta Doll Pageant, Senior Citizen’s Luncheon, Red and White Ball, Red Shoe Affair, Community Give-Away, Voter Registration Drive, Project 13: March of D.I.M.E, Neighborhood Tree Lighting, and Alpha Phi Alpha Leadership Forum. Chapter President is Gina Owens and Vice-President and program chair is Margaret Quick Primus.
Pictures: Community Servant Leader Recipients:
· Rev. Lue Pearl McCall (center) and Margaret Quick Primus-chapter vice president and Gina Owens – chapter president
· James J.T. Fleming- Cheraw Community Servant Leader Recipient
· Scholarship Recipients:
· Dorrien Murphy, Graduate of Marlboro County High School
· Christian Miller (center) and Gina Owens (left) chapter president and Lynn C. Henry (past chapter president)
· Terilynn Holmes, Miss Jabberwock and Graduate of Marlboro County High School
· Soror of the Year 2025-2026: Mrs. Eunice Ray and chapter members
· Delta Academy and Delta GEMS participants and committee members.